Judy Karshmer helps expand University of San Francisco's health care program

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The dean of University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing and Health Professions was instrumental in the recent addition of the Master of Public Health program.Can you talk about the inception of the program? We’re very excited to add to our portfolio of programs. We’ve had the School of Nursing for over 50 years, but one of the things we’ve been fully aware is that in order to advance the mission of the university to increase access to health care, we need to really provide educational opportunities.

Are there any issues regarding health care in San Francisco that you find particularly important? There is an array of issues, but one thing that jumps to mind is the number of isolated seniors in San Francisco who are unconnected with family, live in single-room occupancy and have limited mobility. There’s a population of these seniors that are so isolated that they fall under the radar.

Have you always wanted to be a nurse? My mother used to tell stories about me when I was a little girl saying that I wanted to be a nurse. I think that was pretty much a fantasy when I was a child. But when I got to college, I was a nursing major … and I got to discover it. I think, wow. I couldn’t have chosen a better profession.